Human Development 4 Child, Family and Community Chapter 1: Ecology of the Child Instructor: Salata

Socialization is: The process by which individuals acquire the knowledge, skills, and character traits that enable them to participate as effective members of groups and society.

What is Socialization? What every parent does What every teacher does What every friend does What every religion does What every employer does What every community does

Children are socialized by many people or agents of socialization. Parents Siblings Grandparents Relatives Coaches Teachers Peers Media Characters

Socialization takes place… In the family In child care In school In peer groups In the community Via the media

Family The primary socializer of children Has the most significant impact on their development.

The concept of socialization… Goes back in time as far as human life. Is unique to human beings due to language. Begins at birth and continues throughout life. Is a reciprocal process. Is a dynamic (not static) process. Is transactional and bidirectional.

And… Children play a role in their socialization throughout development. The way parents socialize children is often influenced by their children’s reactions to them. A child growing up on a farm has socialization experiences that differ from those of a child growing up in the city.

Did you know? Babies are born with different temperaments. They respond differently physiologically to various experiences. Children’s physiological responses fall into three broad temperamental categories: 1.Easy 2.Slow to warm up 3.Difficult

If the fit between the child’s temperament and the caregivers is poor, then socialization is likely to be rough.

Socialization can be: Intentional Unintentional

What happens when changes in society occur? ( Socializing agents are affected Growing up in a changing world affects the development of children via socialization.

What does David Elkind say about it? Pushing for excellence is causing an increase in stress symptoms in children. There has been a shift in the value of the child’s place in the family away from child-centeredness. Psychosomatic ailments have increased among school-age children.

The History of Socialization Prior to the Renaissance (14 th -16 th centuries), there was no concept of childhood. If a child lived past the age of seven, s/he was treated as a miniature adult. In the middle of the 15 th century, the printing press was invented. If you could read, you were considered an adult (unformed not miniature adult).

History of Socialization During the Industrial Revolution (18-20 th centuries), compulsory education laws were created. Children had to attend school to become functioning members of society. Children began to have rights.

History of Socialization During the 19 th and 20 th centuries, labor laws were passed for children.

Over time, the span of childhood has lengthened. However, it is beginning to shorten again.

The physical consequences of growing up in a changing society are significantly reduced but psychological consequences exist today.  Depression  Eating disorders  Suicide

What else has changed? Sports are rarely played for amusement. Children are regarded as consumers.

The Freedom of Information Act Grants 18 year olds privacy rights. Parents can’t get information without permission. This can make the transition to adulthood difficult.

Urie Bronfenbrenner A developmental psychologist that believed the social context of individual interactions and experiences determine the degree to which individuals can develop their abilities and realize their potential.

Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Model (Page 18) There are four basic structures 1.The microsystem 2.The mesosystem 3.The exosystem 4.The macrosystem

The Microsystems Activities and relationships with significant others experienced by children in a particular small setting (family, school, peer group, media, community).

Mesosystems Linkages and relationships between two or more of the children’s microsystems. Example: the family and the school

Exosystems The setting in which children are NOT active participants but that affect them in one of their microsystems. Example: A parent’s job

Macrosystems Consists of the society and subculture to which children belong with particular reference to belief systems, lifestyles, etc. Example: Middle class

Chronosystems Temporal changes in the system or within individuals as they develop that produce new conditions affecting children’s development. Example: School shootings

Trends Family size is shrinking The U.S. population is highly mobile The number of working mothers is increasing. The number of homeless families is increasing The number of single parent families is increasing The suicide rate for teens is increasing.

FACT Many teens and young adults who first became delinquent and later develop into criminals were exposed earlier in their lives to much violence, disorganized families, poor education, and limited opportunities.

The Robber’s Cave Experiment Antisocial behavior gave way to prosocial behavior when a compelling goal for all concerned had to be achieved.